10 Greatest Icons in Michigan Sports History

The Great Lakes state is known for automobiles, Motown music and natural wonders. But it's also rich in sports tradition. The Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons and Lions are joined by Michigan, Michigan State and others to complete a formidable amount of rooting interest. Here's a look at the state's top 10 sports icons. 

Honorable Mentions

Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

DETROIT - JUNE 19: Bench coach Kirk Gibson of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the American League game against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on June 19, 2003 in Detroit, Michigan. The Indians defeated the Tigers 10-3. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/

Kirk Gibson, Dave Bing, Chuck Daly, Bob Ufer, Duffy Daugherty, Bubba Smith, Chris Webber, Cazzie Russell, Sparky Anderson, John Fetzer, Nicklas Lidstrom, William Clay Ford Sr., Mike Ilitch, Thomas Hearns, Gerald Ford

10. Steve Yzerman

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT - APRIL 11: Steve Yzerman #19 of the Detroit Red Wings skates during the NHL game agaisnt the Edmonton Oilers at Joe Louis Arena April 11, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings won the game 2-0.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Yzerman served 20 seasons as the Red Wings captain, the longest service of any major North American sports team. "The Captain" led the Wings to three Stanley Cups.

9. Tom Izzo

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 10: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans coaches against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first round of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 10, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (P

The Spartans have become one of college basketball's most successful programs since Izzo took the reins in 1995. Considered by some as the best coach in the country, Izzo has won a national title, been to six Final Fours and collected six Big Ten championships.

8. Magic Johnson

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 10: NBA legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson smiles while watching Game Three of the 2008 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics on June 10, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User e

Magic led Lansing's Everett High School to a state title while becoming perhaps the most sought-after recruit in the state's history. After deciding on Michigan State, he led the Spartans to a national title in 1979. The game, which also featured Larry Bird, is one of the most famous college basketball games of all time.

7. Barry Sanders

Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

20 Sep 1998: Running back Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions in action during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Lions 29-6. Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport

Sanders thrilled long-suffering Lions fans with electric footwork and an unforgettable style. The 10-time Pro Bowler retired in 1998, just short of the all-time NFL rushing record.

6. Isiah Thomas

Doug Benc/Getty Images

MIAMI - APRIL 15: Isiah Thomas talks to the media after he was introduced as the new head coach for Florida International Univeristy men's basketball team at U.S.Century Bank Arena on April 15, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

"Zeke" was one of the NBA's fiercest competitors and led the Detroit Pistons "Bad Boys" squads to two consecutive NBA championships.

5. Al Kaline

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 14: Hall of Famer and former Detroit Tiger great Al Kaline watchess batting practice prior to the start of Game Four of the American League Championship Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics October 14, 2006 at Com

Kaline played his entire 22-year career with the Tigers, having never played in the minor leagues. The 18-time All-Star was the youngest batting champion ever and one of the game's finest gentlemen.

4. Joe Louis

Getty Images/Getty Images

29 Nov 1947 : Joe Louis in training for the fight against Jersey Joe Walcott. Credit : Allsport. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK/ALLSPORT

The Brown Bomber was the heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949. He defeated Nazi Germany hero Max Schmeling in one of the most famous bouts ever.

3. Bo Schembechler

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Former head coach Bo Schembechler of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the 91st Rose Bowl Game against the Texas Longhorns at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2005 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines amassed a 194-48-5 record and 13 Big Ten Conference titles during his tenure as coach. His battles with Ohio State and Woody Hayes helped form college football's greatest rivalry.

2. Gordie Howe

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- DECEMBER 4: Gordie Howe speaks to fans during the Centennial Celebration ceremonies prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins on December 4, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeat

Mr. Hockey is the only NHL player to compete in five different decades. He won four Stanley Cups and six Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player. Howe is considered one of the greatest hockey players ever.

1. Ernie Harwell

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 20: Detroit Tigers broadcast legend Ernie Harwell rides off the field after performing the coin toss for the game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on September 20, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. The Viking

Ernie broadcasted Detroit Tigers games for 42 years. The American Sportscasters Association ranked Harwell 16th on its list of Top 50 Sportscasters of All Time, but Tigers fans will always feel that is 15 spots too low.